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By Shane Clausing

July BEEP

Bylaw Enforcement Education Program focusing on animal licensing, off leash areas in July

Jul 4, 2020 | 7:00 AM

Throughout the month of July, the City’s Enforcement Services will be providing education, awareness and enforcement of animal control issues, especially as it relates to the City’s park system.

Some of the examples of education include making sure your pet is licensed, following rules and using proper park etiquette while walking your animal.

Sargeant Ross Gear with Enforcement Services says one of the biggest things most people don’t realize is that that your pets must be licensed.

“People talk about the cost of licensing, but I can ensure you that if people check elsewhere in the province, Grande Prairie has some of the lowest (cost of) licensing I have seen anywhere. We do try to keep it (the price) down, basically it just covers the administrative cost of looking after the program.”

He adds for your pets safety, it is critical for them to be licensed with the City.

“It’s very important because when an animal is lost, when we find that animal, we are able to take it right back to the owner rather than taking it to the pound. It’s so that you get your animal back, and that’s the idea behind it. We want to have an idea of how many animals we have in the city and make sure they get back when they get out.”

Gear also mentioned that there are some rules that not all pet owners will realize when it comes to walking your pet in the park.

“Occasionally I’ll see people with bicycles leading their dog. I get that they want to give their dog exercise and they’re trying to do a good thing, but actually that is against the bylaw.

“The reason that’s against the bylaw is, when dogs are being leashed on a bicycle, every once in a while, they’ll get tangled up with the bicycle and both a rider and the dog could be injured severely and that’s why it’s against the law.”

Other rules that people might not know about could be, when off the owner’s property, dogs must be on a leash at all times unless in a designated off-leash area. Dogs are not permitted within five meters of any playground, athletic field, school property or any area where dogs are prohibited by signage.

Other rules include making sure you are picking up after your pet while you are out on a walk with them.